Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who has been out since undergoing surgery in May 2023, might never make it back to an NHL rink according to the latest reports.
Landeskog's journey back to the NHL could have hit a critical roadblock if Adrian Dater's sources fed him the right information.
Dater reported on Tuesday, quoting "two trusted sources," that Landeskog has suffered a “significant” setback in his recovery from a series of surgeries, casting uncertainty over his potential return to the ice.
“From two trusted sources: Landeskog setback was ‘significant,’” Dater posted on X. “A return at all is in real question. I hope this turns out to be WRONG. He doesn’t deserve this.”
Landeskog underwent cartilage replacement on his knee in May 2023, and he was expected to make a comeback at some point through the 2024-25 season.
Before going under the knife in 2023, the 31-year-old forward previously endured quadriceps surgery in 2020 and two additional knee surgeries in 2022.
Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog (92) speaks to the media.
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar offered a minor update on Monday after not speaking about him since Aug. 22 when he told reporters Landeskog was "trying to make a return near the start of the season."
"He's had some time off the ice," Bednar said, via Evan Rawal of Colorado Springs Gazette. "He's starting to feel better in the gym, and he just keeps working through his process, but we don't have a timeline on him."
Landeskog signed an eight-year, $56 million contract in July 2021. He can stay on long-term injured reserve as long as he cannot return, preserving cap space for the Avalanche, as his $7 million cap hit doesn't count against the Avs cap.
